Meet the studio, understand our process and discover how we move from first conversation to finished space.
Design the View Outside as Carefully as the Room Inside
The strongest indoor–outdoor homes do not treat the garden as a separate project added after the interior is finished. The floor level, glazing, shade, privacy, planting, pool, lighting, furniture and interior sightlines are planned together so the terrace feels like a continuation of the living space rather than a different property beyond the door.
Bella develops connected interior and landscape concepts for villas, courtyards, penthouses, hospitality terraces and selected commercial projects. Depending on the appointment, the scope can include indoor–outdoor zoning, courtyard planning, hardscape, planting, irrigation strategy, pool and pergola interfaces, outdoor kitchens, privacy planting, exterior lighting, furniture, material transitions, 3D visualization and coordination with the landscape contractor, pool specialist and relevant consultants.
Start With the Connection Between the Building and the Garden
The landscape should solve how you see, enter, use and maintain the exterior—not simply fill leftover space with lawn and palms.
We look at level changes, shade, walking distance, furniture position, heat exposure, privacy and whether the outdoor zone supports a real activity. A terrace becomes usable when dining, lounging or family seating has the right relationship to the interior—not simply because a sliding door exists.
We design the landscape around the views from key rooms. A specimen tree, water surface, lit textured wall or layered planting can sit on a deliberate sightline so the exterior becomes part of the interior composition throughout the day and after dark.
Hardscape is not automatically low-maintenance in the UAE. Large exposed paved areas increase glare and surface heat. We balance planted shade, pergolas, covered terraces, trees, light-coloured surfaces and usable circulation rather than turning the garden into one continuous slab.
We group plants by water demand, reduce unnecessary lawn, use climate-appropriate species, improve soil and mulch, and coordinate irrigation zones. The aim is a planted environment that can survive the site and maintenance regime rather than relying on constant correction.
We coordinate levels, drainage, circulation, material transitions, lighting, service routes and furniture around the complete outdoor room. The expensive mistakes usually occur at the joins between specialist packages.
Privacy can be created through orientation, layered planting, pergola geometry, screens, level changes and controlled views instead of a single dense hedge. We also protect important interior sightlines so privacy measures do not make the house feel closed in.
Three Decisions Control the Whole Property
An attractive planting plan cannot compensate for a poor threshold, no shade or an irrigation system that treats every plant the same.
We align views, floor levels, furniture, glazing and outdoor rooms so movement from inside to outside feels deliberate while weatherproofing, drainage and thresholds remain technically resolved.
Shade, solar exposure, wind, coastal humidity, glare and neighbour views shape the plan. Outdoor rooms are placed by when and how they will be used, not only by where there is empty plot area.
Plant species, soil, irrigation, drainage and maintenance are treated as one operating system. The planting concept is built around hydrozones and realistic water demand rather than a decorative list of species.
Choose the Indoor–Outdoor Strategy
We design the landscape around the architecture and how you intend to use the property.
An internal or semi-enclosed courtyard can bring greenery, daylight and a focal tree deep into the plan while preserving privacy. Drainage, root zone, irrigation, glazing, maintenance access and the effect on adjacent interior humidity all need to be resolved from the start.
The pool is planned with shaded seating, safer circulation, planting, pool-deck material, lighting, equipment access and the view from the main living spaces. The terrace should still work when nobody is swimming.
Formal and family hosting zones can connect directly to indoor dining, show kitchens or majlis spaces while service movement, guest privacy, shade and evening lighting are kept practical.
Larger properties can combine arrival landscape, formal gardens, pool zones, private family areas, shaded walks, specimen trees, water features and evening lighting into one sequence rather than a collection of unrelated attractions.
What Landscape & Interior Design Can Include
Bella can develop the integrated design intent while specialist landscape, pool, irrigation, structural and MEP consultants / contractors complete the technical work required by the project.
Understand what the building and plot already give you.
Create usable garden rooms rather than leftover zones.
Coordinate the surfaces people touch and walk across.
Build the botanical layer around climate, water and maintenance.
Give the garden the systems it needs to survive.
Make the exterior feel connected to the interior after sunset.
Structural pergolas, pools, retaining walls, major level changes, glazing alterations, electrical / irrigation calculations and authority submissions require the relevant licensed consultant / specialist where applicable. Bella’s scope is defined by the project proposal and responsibility matrix.
From Interior View to Garden Handover
The sequence below keeps the architecture, landscape and specialist packages aligned.
We document the property, plot, views, sun, access, privacy, existing planting, water / drainage information and how you want to use the indoor and outdoor zones.
Site / lifestyle briefThe main axes, outdoor rooms, shade zones, pool / terrace relationship, courtyards and key planting moments are established alongside the adjoining interior layout.
Integrated concept planHardscape, planting character, pergola language, outdoor furniture and the interior palette are coordinated so the transition reads as one property.
Material / planting conceptLevels, drainage, irrigation intent, lighting, pool interfaces, shade structure, utility points and major construction junctions are coordinated with the appointed specialists.
Coordinated landscape / interior packageThe scheme is broken into measurable work packages and checked against budget, landlord / community / authority requirements and long-lead elements before construction begins.
Budget / approval-ready scopeHardscape, irrigation, planting, lighting, furniture and specialist features are sequenced so finished areas are not damaged by later heavy works.
Installed indoor–outdoor schemeFinishes, lighting and furniture are snagged, while planting / irrigation need an establishment and maintenance period beyond visual handover.
Handover + landscape establishment planUAE Landscape Design Constraints
The technical references below distinguish formal Abu Dhabi guidance from broader residential planning recommendations.
DMT’s Pearl Villa Rating System reference requires water-efficient irrigation strategies, including eliminating surface spray components, grouping planting into irrigation zones by water demand, using timers for non-daylight irrigation and using mulch / soil amendments to reduce evapotranspiration. We use those principles as strong Abu Dhabi design guidance even when a project’s formal rating obligations differ.
Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi identifies the Ghaf as a drought-tolerant UAE native tree and records hundreds of native plant species in the emirate. Abu Dhabi municipality trials have also used salt-tolerant species such as Ghaf, Samar, Acacia and Atriplex in coastal landscape conditions. Plant choice should follow soil, salinity, exposure and irrigation quality rather than fashion.
Visually continuous indoor and outdoor flooring does not mean using an identical construction build-up on both sides. Exterior paving requires suitable slip resistance, falls, drainage, movement joints and weather durability, while the door / threshold detail has to protect the interior from water ingress.
A west-facing dining terrace can be uncomfortable even with beautiful planting if afternoon solar exposure is ignored. Pergolas, deep overhangs, trees and screens should be placed around the time-of-day brief and local sun path, then coordinated so they do not block the important interior views.
Pool structure and treatment, landscape irrigation, terrace drainage and building drainage should not be treated as one generic water package. Their levels and routes need to be coordinated early because they all compete for the same external ground zone.
A useful residential approach is to combine low-glare path / step light with selected tree, wall and water-feature accents. Warm 2700–3000K light often connects well with residential interior lighting, but actual CCT, beam, glare control and IP rating should be chosen for the application rather than applied as one universal exterior specification.
Paving, timber / composite, powder coating, outdoor fabrics, sealers and adhesives should be checked for UV, heat, humidity, pool chemicals and coastal salt where relevant. Pale surfaces may reduce visual heat gain, while some natural stones require sealing and detailed salt / stain review before exterior use.
In a small plot, one good dining terrace, one shaded lounge and a strong planted boundary often work better than squeezing in a pool, lawn, fire pit, outdoor kitchen and multiple decorative paths. Vertical planting, integrated benches and clear sightlines can increase perceived space without overloading circulation.
Abu Dhabi Outdoor Works & Approvals
DMT’s current simplified minor-works process in Abu Dhabi specifically includes certain non-structural exterior modifications, swimming pools, canopies / shaded structures and fence alterations for eligible residential properties. That makes it important to identify which parts of the landscape are planting and finishes, and which parts are regulated construction.
For villa and community projects, developer / community NOCs, contractor registration, site deposits, utility coordination and specific pool / pergola / structural requirements can sit alongside DMT processes. The landscape concept should therefore show the intended structures early enough for the project team to confirm the correct approval route before procurement.
One Palette Across Interior & Landscape
A seamless transition does not require carrying an indoor tile into an exterior location where it is technically unsuitable. Instead, we match tone, module, texture and joint rhythm using products rated for the exposure and slip requirements of each side of the threshold.
The HEX values below are conceptual colour directions taken from the project research. Final stone, porcelain, powder coat, fabrics and planting colours should be approved from real samples.
Landscape Cost & Programme
Current 2026 Abu Dhabi / UAE market references span widely because one 'garden' may mean planting and irrigation while another includes stone terraces, pool, pergola, outdoor kitchen and mature specimen trees. An Abu Dhabi-focused cost guide currently places a planting-led refresh around AED 20,000–60,000, a coordinated villa garden around AED 60,000–180,000 and a luxury outdoor-living transformation around AED 180,000–450,000+. Another Abu Dhabi design-and-build source places fully integrated front-and-back villa landscapes with hardscape, planting, irrigation and lighting around AED 400,000–1,000,000, with major engineered pool-led projects above that. These are third-party feasibility references—not Bella quotations.
Do not compare one contractor's AED/m² 'landscaping rate' with another until you know whether it includes excavation, imported soil, drainage, irrigation, lighting, plant sizes, paving, pergola, pool interfaces, approvals, maintenance and VAT. On Abu Dhabi sites, soil salinity, TSE / water availability and access can shift the real cost materially.
Indoor–Outdoor References by Design Strategy
These are temporary third-party references selected specifically for landscape / interior integration in UAE and Gulf-style properties. Replace them with Bella-owned / licensed project photography before final production publication.
Landscape & Interior Design Questions, Answered Properly
These answers separate design principles from rankings and clarify UAE-specific cost, climate, software and planting questions.
It is an integrated approach where the interior rooms and exterior landscape are planned together. Views, door locations, terrace levels, paving, shade, planting, pool, outdoor furniture, lighting and privacy are coordinated so the garden supports the architecture and the architecture takes advantage of the landscape.
There is no official UAE ranking that identifies one company as 'best'. Compare firms by project type, municipality / developer experience, landscape architecture capability, irrigation and horticulture expertise, pool / structural coordination, itemised BOQ, plant warranties, maintenance support and completed UAE projects similar to your property.
There is no single authoritative public measure of 'biggest' because companies can be compared by revenue, workforce, nursery size, contract value or geographic coverage. For a villa or hospitality project, scale alone is less useful than proven delivery of the specific landscape, pool, irrigation and maintenance scope you require.
There is no single regulated list of exactly seven, but common landscape-design principles include unity, balance, proportion / scale, rhythm / repetition, contrast / variety, emphasis / focal points and sequence / transition. Penn State guidance specifically discusses balance, unity, variety / contrast and rhythm / repetition as core garden-design concepts.
A useful project-based grouping is residential gardens, commercial / workplace landscapes, hospitality / resort landscapes, civic / public-realm landscapes and ecological / restoration landscapes. You can also classify by style—formal, naturalistic, desert / xeric, tropical, Mediterranean and others—so there is no universal official five-type list.
There is no official fixed list. Common current categories include contemporary, modern minimalist, modern classic, transitional, Japandi / Scandinavian-influenced, organic / biophilic and industrial. For an indoor–outdoor project, the useful question is how the landscape materials and planting reinforce the interior language rather than which label the home uses.
Indeed currently reports an average base salary of about AED 6,386 per month for landscape architects in Dubai, based on a relatively small sample of reported salaries and updated September 2026. Individual pay varies significantly with seniority, qualifications, consultancy type and project responsibility.
Common professional workflows include AutoCAD for 2D plans and documentation, Civil 3D for site / grading work, Revit for BIM coordination and SketchUp / Rhino for 3D development. Autodesk specifically lists AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Revit and Forma among landscape-related tools, while Land F/X provides specialised planting and irrigation plugins for CAD, Revit, SketchUp and Rhino.
Residential landscape design, pool / outdoor-living design, courtyard design, hospitality / resort landscape, rooftop / terrace landscape, commercial landscape, public realm, ecological restoration, xeriscape / desert landscape and tropical or Mediterranean-style gardens are all common categories. One project can combine several.
Civil work can happen through much of the year, but October to March is generally the better planting window for many outdoor plants because temperatures are lower and transplant stress is reduced. The National quotes UAE garden experts specifically recommending October to March and avoiding major outdoor planting during June, July and August where possible.
Start with plants proven for the site’s heat, salinity, soil and water conditions rather than a generic tropical palette. Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi identifies Ghaf as a drought-tolerant native tree, and Abu Dhabi municipality salt-tolerance trials have included Ghaf, Samar, Acacia and Atriplex among other species. A horticulturist should confirm the final palette for the exact property.
An Abu Dhabi-focused 2026 guide currently places a planting-led refresh around AED 20,000–60,000, a coordinated villa garden around AED 60,000–180,000 and a luxury outdoor-living transformation around AED 180,000–450,000+. High-spec whole-property design-and-build projects with significant hardscape and pool work can be substantially higher.
Current UAE residential guides commonly publish roughly AED 5,000–25,000 for concept / landscape design, with larger luxury-villa design fees sometimes around AED 20,000–40,000+. Deliverables vary: check whether the fee includes survey, planting plan, irrigation, lighting, grading / levels, 3D views and tender documentation.
A current Abu Dhabi market estimator places a standard 25–40 m² pool roughly around AED 80,000–200,000, larger pools around AED 200,000–400,000 and infinity pools from roughly AED 250,000 upward. Pool type, structure, waterproofing, finishes, chiller, plant room, access and authority requirements can move the price considerably.
Potentially, yes. DMT’s current simplified minor-works process explicitly includes swimming pools, canopies / shaded structures and certain exterior modifications for eligible residential properties. Community / developer NOCs and specialist drawings may also apply, so confirm the exact route before construction or procurement.
Reduce high-water lawn area, use drought-tolerant native / adapted species, group plants by water demand, irrigate by hydrozone, use efficient drip where appropriate, improve soil and mulch, and concentrate lush planting where it has the strongest visual impact. DMT’s Pearl Villa guidance uses the same core ideas: hydrozones, non-daylight irrigation and reduced evaporation.
Not necessarily. The strongest visual result often comes from matching colour, module and joint rhythm while using an exterior product with the required slip resistance, weather durability and drainage detail. Carrying an indoor-only finish outside purely for visual continuity can create maintenance and safety problems.
Brief the Property as One Indoor–Outdoor Experience
Share the property location, villa / commercial type, plot and built-up area if known, current plans, existing garden / pool condition, indoor rooms that should connect outside, family / hosting needs, approximate landscape budget and target completion date.
If you have a survey, community guidelines, irrigation information, pool drawings, utility locations, existing plant inventory or photos showing the garden at different times of day, send them. Those details determine whether the concept is mainly planting and furniture or a deeper landscape-construction project.
